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Saturday, May 07, 2011

Tokyo (CNN) -- Japan's prime minister said Friday he has asked the operator to shut down the nuclear reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear plant until earthquake and tsunami protections can be built. The plant -- located on the Pacific coast in Omaezaki, southwest of Tokyo -- is vulnerable and could produce "grave damage to Japan" similar to the problems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that was damaged in the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said."The primary reason for this request is in the interest of the safety and security of the people of Japan," Kan said. "We came to this conclusion because of the grave impact on Japan's people that could be incurred as a result of a serious accident at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant."The prime minister stressed that he could only ask the plant's owner, Chubu Electric Company, to shut down the plant. The Japanese government can not order the company to close the plant, he said.A representative for the company said it had no immediate comment.Environmental group Greenpeace applauded the decision."Greenpeace welcomes Prime Minister Kan's request to close Hamaoka, one of the most dangerous nuclear reactors in Japan," said Junichi Sato, Greenpeace Japan Executive Director. "This is the first time a prime minister has directly requested a nuclear plant in Japan be closed, however, it cannot be the last."Nuclear plant safety has been in the spotlight worldwide since the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that forced the automatic shutdown of reactors at four Japanese power plants, including Fukushima Daiichi.The loss of cooling at that plant caused a series of problems, including explosions that damaged the buildings housing nuclear reactors and caused the release of radioactive particles into the atmosphere. Radiation eventually spread into the ocean after plant workers began releasing contaminated water into the sea near the plant.The disaster ranked at the top of the seven-step International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, equalling the 1986 Chernobyl reactor explosion. Crews are still working to restore cooling and contain the damage.

The United States was among the nations that ordered a review of nuclear plant safety in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. That review by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission continues.

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Just call me Blithe. I have started this page in 2007 as a personal blog. I went on a hiatus for a few years and now I am back. It's always been my dream to travel everywhere. In this journal I have documented all my travel experiences and activities. My goal is to explore the hidden beauties of this country one step at a time.

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Just call me Blithe. I have started this page in 2007 as a personal blog. I went on a hiatus for a few years and now I am back. It's always been my dream to travel everywhere. In this journal I have documented all my travel experiences and activities. My goal is to explore the hidden beauties of this country one step at a time.

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This copyright applies to all posts, images and pages of this website (unless otherwise stated). Any of these may not be reproduced on another blog or website without the author's expressed written consent. All applicable laws apply and will be enforced.Unless otherwise stated, I write my own post to express my thought about the things that I have experienced. All expenses for my trips are all from my pocket (unless otherwise stated). advertorial, sponsored posts and commissioned reviews are welcome. However, this will still contains my own opinion and views and not through the influence of anyone.Please Consider liking Ulikba Diaries by NocturnalSaint for updates of our travel adventures, tips and recommendations. You may contact Blithe through blithefreak@gmail.com